Kazakhstan’s capital, Nur Sultan, is trying to strengthen its identity, attracting talent and skilled professionals from around the world with the aim of becoming a world-class political and cultural centre. However, the design of the public realm and civic areas currently do not meet these ambitions.

Ambience Sensation focuses on how to improve the living environment of immigrants and local citizens to enhance their well-being and sense of place.

The selected site is the botanical garden located in the southern district of the capital. The project proposes a re-design of the garden, stemming from an abstraction of cultural topoi while utilizing plants, water and topography to improve the micro-climate, creating shade, increasing humidity, reducing the heat-island effect as well mitigating the strong wind.

The botanical gardens provide users with a variety of programming in a multi-cultural and comfortable environment, enhancing their sense of belonging.